Jean Marie Arant

Jean Marie Arant, 84, of Hartford passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, South Haven.

Jean was born Nov. 26, 1928, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of William and Georgia (Tetsworth) Thornton, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by her husband, Lester Arant Sr.; two daughters, Norma Jean Watkins and Lois Marie Robinson; a longtime companion, Cleatus Beckman; four brothers; Norman, Bill, John and Jim Thornton; a sister, Nona Paviolous; a grandson, Ray Watkins; a granddaughter, Tonya Collins; and a great-grandson, Joseph Jim Alsup.

Jean worked for the Williams Brothers Paper Box Factory in St. Joseph and VM Corp. in Benton Harbor. She loved attending church at Full Gospel Assembly Church in Hartford. But most important, she loved spending time with her family, loved playing with her dog, Tiny, and baking.

Jean is survived by a son, Lester Arant Jr. of Hartford; five stepchildren: Rick Beckman, Phil Beckman and Cherrie Collins, all of Hartford; Cindy (Tom) Murdoch of Colorado; and Janice Schaub of Eau Claire; 15 grandchildren: Stephanie (Shannon) Truelove of Hartford; Lester (Andrea) Arant of Warrensburg, Mo.; Brandon Arant and Jeffrey Robinson, both of Coloma; Douglas Robinson of Tennessee; Tina Clark of Arkansas; Kathy Sharpe of Benton Harbor; Sherrie Alridge, Ralph Watkins and Richard Watkins, all of Tennessee; Billy Collins, Shawn Collins and Brendan Collins, all of Coloma; Brianne Leone of Colorado; Jessica Crump of Logansville, Ga.; and Jennifer Venno of Stevensville; seven great-grandchildren: Lois, Samantha, Breanna, Zach, Daniel, Ashley and Jonathan; and two brothers: Donald Thornton and Larry (Janet) Thornton, both of Coloma.

The family will welcome friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Full Gospel Assembly Church, Hartford, where the service to honor her memory will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. Pastor Shannon Truelove will officiate. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Township. Memorial donations in Jean's name may be made to Full Gospel Assembly Church. The family has entrusted Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences to the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.